WASHINGTON - The United States condemned the Syrian presidential election held on Tuesday as "a disgrace" carried out by a government of President Bashar Assad that is "detached from reality" amid the country's brutal civil war.

Syrians voted in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory for Assad but which his opponents have called a charade.

"Today's presidential election in Syria is a disgrace," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told a briefing in Washington. "Bashar al-Assad has no more credibility today than he did yesterday," Harf added.

She also referred to "the disgusting photos of President Assad voting, acting like this is a real election."